Donald Trump has vowed to reveal the truth behind significant events, particularly the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy, by declassifying related documents. Despite extensive investigations identifying Lee Harvey Oswald as the assassin, public skepticism persists, with many believing in conspiracy theories. Recent low-quality footage and claims of hidden documents have fueled speculation, although experts caution that new disclosures may not provide groundbreaking revelations. The ongoing fascination with Kennedy’s assassination reflects deep-rooted distrust in official narratives.
He asserted that ‘everything will be revealed’. Understanding the conspiracy theory mentality that resonates with many of his followers, Donald Trump has pledged to uncover the truth behind significant state events. The most notable among these is the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. On Thursday, January 24, the newly sworn-in President of the United States mandated the declassification of all ‘top secret’ documents related to his predecessor, who was fatally shot in Dallas while riding in a convertible.
Questionable Archives and Low-Quality Footage
Over six decades have passed since the event that sent shockwaves throughout the United States, yet numerous factors continue to cast doubt on the investigations carried out by various governmental bodies. While the uncertainties surrounding these inquiries may seem minimal—99% of the roughly five million pages related to the case have been released over the years, as per the National Archives—each investigation consistently identifies Lee Harvey Oswald, who was shot two days after his arrest, as the assassin. The only exception is the second investigative commission in 1976, which suggested the possibility of a second shooter while reaffirming Oswald’s culpability.
This official conclusion has not swayed public opinion. Recent polling indicates that a significant majority (65%) of Americans do not accept the authorities’ narrative, citing a prevailing belief in a ‘conspiracy’. This skepticism rises to 71% among Republican supporters. Many are convinced that the truth lies hidden within the few hundred classified documents and wasted no time in sharing their own interpretations following the announcement.
A video that surfaced as early as Thursday evening garnered over 16 million views within a mere 24 hours. Despite its poor quality, it claims to show that the driver of the vehicle was responsible for the assassination, not the ex-Marine sharpshooter. Others suggest that the footage implies First Lady Jackie Kennedy fired a weapon at her husband. However, the assassination was documented by numerous amateur cameras and a variety of professionals present to cover the presidential motorcade. Multiple perspectives confirm that the shot originated from the fifth floor of a building, where investigators discovered a scoped rifle. This evidence stands in stark contrast to the unreliable details of a few seconds of low-resolution video, which are often distorted by compression when shared on social media.
Another theory posits that a document exists proving Lee Harvey Oswald was a pawn in a larger scheme. This purported archive, featuring all the hallmarks of authenticity, references a contracted assassination connected to the ‘Zodiac plan’. A small, highlighted phrase has been viewed over 1.5 million times… but it was fabricated. As demonstrated by the original document available on the official American archives website, there is no mention of any premeditated conspiracy.
The spread of misinformation has contributed to a plethora of theories that emerged almost immediately after the tragic events of November 22, 1963, fueled by various actors during the Cold War. This includes accusations from the victim’s own brother, Robert Kennedy, who believed the involvement of an anti-Castro Cuban mafia was evident. Since that time, countless theories have surfaced, ranging from allegations against the Texas far-right to suspicions toward the USSR. Nearly fifty years later, some unverifiable claims continue to circulate, suggesting involvement from American or Israeli intelligence without concrete evidence.
However, journalist and author Philippe Labro remarked to TF1info that the newly released documents are unlikely to contain any sensational revelations. As a young reporter in Dallas during the 1963 events, Labro asserts that if certain archives remain sealed, it is merely because they might reveal ‘how much the CIA and FBI failed to perform their duties’. Thus, making these documents public could primarily serve as a way for Donald Trump to appeal to his base. This electoral maneuver is already stoking conspiracy-laden narratives, conveniently overlooking the fact that the last set of files was declassified by the preceding administration.
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